TV Writing

The best TV shows are addictive, beckoning us to bring the characters into our homes or onto our devices, episode after episode. The people might be cops, thugs, monsters, geeks, doctors, lawyers, fixers, or just ordinary people with everyday problems. The format might be network, streaming, or a web series. As long as it hooks us.

Each TV show is a unique story-machine, with its own rules and formulas. Here you will learn about the craft of dramatic writing, how to write for TV, and how to market your work.

Whether you seek to write comedy, drama, or something in between, we’ll show you how to write TV episodes that might, someday, get you good ratings.

Notes

TV writers either work on the staff of an existing series or they create an original show. To break into the business, you need samples of your work—either episodes of existing shows or original scripts, the latter more desirable these days.

TV I focuses on writing “spec” scripts for existing shows, which is the best way to learn how TV episodes work. TV II focuses on creating an original series and “pilot” episode.

These courses cover “scripted” shows, as opposed to reality TV.

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Writing a pilot is a daunting task--this class will chop it up into manageable chunks, taking it step by step.

TV Writing | Level I

The NYC One-day Intensives are seven-hour crash courses, giving you brief lectures that hit the high-points and writing exercises that let you immediately try your hand at what you’ve learned. Arrive in the morning with a desire to learn; leave in the evening as a more knowledgeable writer.

Intensives are open for writers of any level. Students must be 18 years or older.